Flashless welding method and apparatus
AssigneeMMI Extrusions, LLC
InventorMark Knapp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for welding two separate ends of an extrusion or two separate extrusion ends to form a flashless extrudate or gasket by having a first and a second mold for supporting and clamping the extrusion ends, and a spacer bar for positioning the extrusion ends to a location within the mold. A heating element elevates the temperature of the extrusion ends to a welding condition, and a clamping device is used for securing the extrusion ends. A flashless welding operation results by inserting and clamping at least one heated extrusion end into a welding mold until an acceptable contact pressure is obtained against the opposing heated extrusion end.
Claims30
A method for welding two separate extrusion ends to form a flashless article comprising:
- a) spacing a first and a second extrusion end to a first position extending beyond a respective first and second mold and residing at said first position by contacting a stop;
- b) removing said stop from said first position;
- c) inserting a heating element between said first and second extrusion ends;
- d) heating said extrusions to a temperature for welding;
- e) compressing one of said extrusion ends into one of said molds;
- f) plunging said compressed extrusion end into the other of said molds until contact is made with the other extrusion end;
- g) compressing the other of said molds upon said other extrusion end;
- and
- h) cooling the molds to a temperature, thereby forming a flashless article.
An apparatus for forming a flashless weld between extrusion ends comprising:
- a) a first and a second mold for supporting and clamping the ends of at least one extrusion;
- b) a locator for positioning the extrusion ends location with respect to said molds;
- c) a heating element for elevating the temperature of said extrusion ends to a welding condition;
- and
- d) a clamping device for securing extrusions during said welding operation;
- e) whereby flashless welding occurs by clamping and plunging at least one said extrusion ends into a welding mold until contact is made against said other extrusion end within said welding mold.
An apparatus for welding extrusion ends to form a flashless extrusion comprising:
- a) a first and second extrusion end residing in a first position in respective first and second molds;
- b) a heating assembly for elevating the temperature of said extrusion ends to a joining condition;
- and
- c) a heating mold preheated to a temperature to facilitate welding said first and second extrusion ends;
- d) whereby flashless welding occurs after one of said first and second extrusion ends is advanced towards the other of said extrusion ends moving said ends into said heating mold until contact is made between said ends such that closing said heating mold on the ends forms a welding connection therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.